Hi guys. Quick question. My 1980 GL1100 standard's engine died after only 309 000 km's. I love the bike so I'm gonna have the engine rebuilt and use it as my commuter bike. I spotted a 2000 Gl1500 SE for sale with 40 000 km's but it's been sitting for more than a year on a battery tender but with nothing to stabalise the gas! Should I buy it? Thanks for your responses.

I guess that would depend a lot on the price.Do you have room money wise to have the carbs gone through if they need it.It might be fine if the owner stored it with premium fuel in it.It's also going to need timing belts if they've never been done.Actually there could be lots of work needed,but that would depend on how much history you get with the bike.I almost payed $10 k last year for the same bike with the same mileage and done up with some nice add-ons and would have if I hadn't found my 1800 for the same price.If the bike hasn't been well looked after then that could be to your advantage when it comes to dickering over the price.Either way I would probably take that bike if it looks good.After all it's the latest and greatest 1500,the most comfortable Wing of all them.

If I'da known it would last this long,I'da taken better care of it.
Chris
Double Dark
Darkside # 1602

If the price is good & the bike's in good shape, I'd pick it up. It's light years beyond the 1100 (I had one of those, too), and the SE version is the cream of the crop.

I'd be tempted to put in as much fresh fuel as it will take + a healthy dose of Seafoam, and see how she runs, before considering doing a carb rebuild. Mine had been sitting for 9 months when I got it, also on a tender (the battery wasn't healthy in the end, but that's a consumable item anyway), and with fresh gas it ran (and still runs) beautifully - and I didn't even use the Seafoam.

As for the timing belts, well, Honda recommends inspecting them at 100,000 miles (about 161,000 km, or about 4X that bike's mileage) or 10 years. I don't know if I'd replace them at this point, although it's not that big a job (although making the slightest error while changing them can/will be disastrous).

Mh434 wrote:If the price is good & the bike's in good shape, I'd pick it up. It's light years beyond the 1100 (I had one of those, too), and the SE version is the cream of the crop.

I'd be tempted to put in as much fresh fuel as it will take + a healthy dose of Seafoam, and see how she runs, before considering doing a carb rebuild. Mine had been sitting for 9 months when I got it, also on a tender (the battery wasn't healthy in the end, but that's a consumable item anyway), and with fresh gas it ran (and still runs) beautifully - and I didn't even use the Seafoam.

As for the timing belts, well, Honda recommends inspecting them at 100,000 miles (about 161,000 km, or about 4X that bike's mileage) or 10 years. I don't know if I'd replace them at this point, although it's not that big a job (although making the slightest error while changing them can/will be disastrous).

The belts are way past the time frame if they haven't been touched before.

If I'da known it would last this long,I'da taken better care of it.
Chris
Double Dark
Darkside # 1602

I bought a '88 last year with 40,000 miles on the clock that sat in a garage for 12 years.It would turn over,but would'n start:(Yanked the Carb's(Lots of work) wich had green gunk growing in them.Rebuild carbs,new tires,brakes,changed all oils filters,etc. Now i have a sweet running,riding bike that gives on ave.45 mpg two up fully loaded:):).......Total cost,with purchase price?.....a lil over $1800 :):).....There is no way that i could have accomplished that feat without this site,Thanks again GoldwingDocs.........